Gareth Barry is considering representing himself from now on rather than signing up with a new agent - although his Aston Villa future remains unclear. Barry, apart from certain contractual obligations, parted company with agent Alex Black last week. After 10 years in the Premier League, Barry feels he does not necessarily need a high-profile agent.

Black was Barry's representative when Liverpool were trying to take the player to Anfield in last summer's drawn out transfer saga. In the end, Villa manager Martin O'Neill priced Barry out of a move by asking £18 million for him.

Barry stayed but is likely to have more control over his negotiations over the next year as he waits to see if Villa make the sort of progress he wants.

Liverpool and Arsenal could both show interest once more in January while it is possible that Barry could buy out his Villa contract for £2 million next summer under the Webster Ruling. (DAILY MAIL)

Is Barry right to go it alone without an agent? Is there really a great need for agents, or should more players take matters into their own hands and subsequently make themselves more money? Where would Barry fit in best, Liverpool or Arsenal?